Agatha Award NomineeRight in time for the holidays, comes Allison Brook’s second Haunted Library mystery, a perfect present for readers of Jenn McKinlay and Leslie Meier. Twenty million dollars’ worth of missing gems bring Carrie Singleton’s long-lost and larcenous dad back into her life and it’s up to Carrie to clear his name.A devoted dad is as precious as diamonds, but Carrie Singleton … precious as diamonds, but Carrie Singleton wouldn’t know since her dad Jim’s been on the lam most of her life. In an unusual family reunion, she finds Jim breaking into her cottage in the middle of the night. The fun really starts when he begs her to help him recover his half of a twenty-million-dollar gem heist he pulled off with the local jeweler, Benton Parr. When she refuses, Jim takes off again.
Carrie finds her father again behind bars for the recent murder of Benton Parr. Who made the connection? Unbeknownst to her, Carrie’s boyfriend Dylan, an insurance investigator, has been searching for the gems. Determined to find the jewels herself, she starts examining every facet of Parr’s life. She turns up a treasure trove of suspects, one of whom bashes her on the head as she’s searching the victim’s country cabin.
Retreating to the quiet confines of the library where she works, Carrie watches as Smokey Joe, the resident cat, paws at a hole in the wall. Is he after the library’s ghost Evelyn, or something shinier? The second charming Haunted Library mystery by Allison Brook, Read and Gone will be a delight for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Leslie Meier.
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
The story starts out with a nice housewarming party with friends and lots of food, then everything goes crazy Carrie wakes up to find an intruder in her house that turns out to be Jim, her father. He is only there for one thing, Carrie’s help to get back his share of gems from a heist from several years ago. His partner in crime, Benton Parr, a local jeweler, agreed to hide the loot until Jim came for it. Well, Jim wants it and hopes Carrie smooth the way. Carrie agrees to contact the man to get her dad out of her house.
But, the next time she hears from her dad it is to get him out of jail. Benton Parr was murdered and good ole’ dad was found standing over the body. If that isn’t enough, Carrie learns that the case her new boyfriend Dylan is working on is recovering the very same gems her father had stolen. Was he only leading her on to track down her father? Did he only rent to her in the hopes her dad would drop by? Bad enough, Dylan travels so much for his job, was he avoiding her or was he really working? Is anything about their relationship real?
Carrie’s whole life has been turned inside out. Thankfully she can escape to her job at the library with Smokey Joe. Maybe she will be able to track down the gems herself. What does that mean for her relationship with Dylan? What will that mean to the relationship with her dad? Does she want to have a relationship with her dad?
OMG! I started this book and I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up until early in the morning to finish it all in one sitting.
The first couple of chapters felt off, forced, not what I expected from this author. I was worried. But then the story started to flow and the author exceeded my expectations.
The characters in this series are so clearly written. Carrie, her aunt, and uncle are so genuine. They try to see the best in everyone and are truly there for each other. Her dad returning is quite a shock but his brother and his wife take him in for a while until he moves in with Carrie. Evelyn is a unique character in that, she is a ghost. A very well dressed and coiffed ghost, who appears in the most opportune moments and can only be seen by Carrie and one other person. She gives Carrie “food for thought” and adds a few laughs to the story. I had an aunt the was named Evelyn and the Evelyn in this story reminds me very much of her. She passed on several years ago and to my knowledge she doesn’t haunt anyone though. Carrie’s cat Smokey Joe has become the library cat. The patrons love him. As for Dylan, he gets in some hot water with Carrie this time and in my mind, he deserves being there.
The author takes these wonderful characters and twists and turns them around in a marvelous mystery. There is a treasure trove of suspects, the man had enemies. His family and a few “friends” had means, motive, and opportunity. Carrie’s dad is the perfect suspect but she knows he is being set up. There is a very well embedded subplot to the story that adds interest too, how it ended both warmed and broke my heart.
Christmastime in Clover Ridge, Connecticut sounds absolutely delightful. There are plenty of programs at the library including carolers and choirs performing. Carrie is doing very well in her job as the head of programs and events and the town is very happy she decided to make her home in Clover Ridge.
This story reads very well on its own, but if you haven’t read Death Overdue, it has a Halloween theme and there is no time like the present to start this series from the beginning so you can get to know Carrie and the residents of Clover Ridge from the start.
I highly recommend this one. Be sure to plan accordingly, you may have a late night and a book hangover the next day, but it is so worth it!
Murder, gems and diamonds, and Christmas. Who can ask for more …… Carries dad is back in town… Which means trouble.
Like always, I absolutely love Christmas in cozy mysteries. Love the characters, great story. Wonder what happens next.
When Carrie Singleton’s long lost father is arrested for the murder of a local jeweller, she suspects he was set up and decides to investigate.
Allison Brook gives us a strong, intelligent protagonist with a kind streak. The secondary characters are believable, and I could relate to them. The plot is nicely paced and laced with plenty of suspects and twists.
This marvellous holiday read was just my cup of tea.
Even though I promised myself I wouldn’t go on NetGalley, I did… then I requested a few books… then I was awarded said books… and now my ‘ready to read on the shelf’ TBR is back around 25! So… I started with NetGalley reads this weekend, choosing a new author and a book series I’d not read before: The Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook. I even read the second book, Read and Gone, before the debut of the series since I don’t have that one in my possession. I can safely say that I will go back to read the first book and continue reading the whole series.
In this cozy caper, Carrie Singleton is celebrating Christmas with her family and new boyfriend, Dylan. After everyone leaves, Carrie’s thief father shows up asking for help. Before she knows it, a frustrated and angry Carrie agrees to help him in between her duties running one of the departments in the local library. As the story unfolds, her father Jim’s former partner is found murdered, and Carrie is stuck trying to prove her father isn’t a killer. Add in a few more bodies, and a second mystery at the local senior care facility, and Carrie is quite busy. It’s all connected, but she’s not sure how. In the end, she solves the crime and figures out how to move forward.
At first, the story felt a little too stiff and formulaic, but by 10% it settled in with a really positive and engaging flow. The ghost of a friend’s dead aunt watches over the place, but really doesn’t provide many clues thus far — it’s just an other-worldly presence for some humor. Carrie also struggles in her relationship with Dylan, whose job forces him to play on opposite sides for part of the story. There are lots of suspects, several side-stories, and a welcome amount of refreshing honesty about private citizens acting as detectives. Carrie pushes the limit, but she’s also clearly showing us why she has to. It’s believable.
All in all, I’m glad I downloaded this one, and it only took 3 hours to get thru… a strong start for me in the series pushing me to go back and read more.
After reading the first book in the Haunted Library Mysteries, DEATH OVERDUE, I was ready to move on to the next book in the series. Well, it took a year of waiting, but finally I got to read, READ AND GONE. And once I started reading, it was no time at all before is was read and gone . It so was completely worth the wait.
It was great to be back in Clover Ridge with protagonist, Carrie Singleton, her aunt and uncle (I adore them), and of course Smokey Joe, and resident library ghost, Evelyn. Author Allison Brook brings such life to her characters, that I feel like a truly know them.
As for the story, mystery, mayhem, and murders (yes, plural!), as well as family drama is what you’ll find between the covers of READ AND GONE. A wonderful whodunit with so many surprises I found myself catching my breath on more than one occasion. Ms. Brook had me on the edge of my recliner by the last couple of chapters.
READ AND GONE has something for everyone who loves a good mystery. Why not check it out for yourself?
Read and Gone is the second book in the Haunted Library Mystery series and it was a just as wonderfully told story as the first book. Again, Evelyn, the library ghost, has only a small part in it. I do like that since I am not big on paranormal stuff but it is definitely a fun element here and I don’t mind it.
I loved the Christmas feel of the story and it went very well with other elements in this book like the newly developing relationship between Carrie and her Dad.
It was great to meet Carrie’s father Jim, the professional thief, who is coming to town to hook up with a fellow criminal to pick up his share of stolen diamonds. When this man is killed in his store Jim becomes the main suspect and a lot of people are trying to find the missing diamonds….or are they just a myth?
I very much enjoyed this fast paced mystery and the cozy library setting. Can’t wait to read more in this series…..
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Crooked Lane Books and the author provided me with an advance copy.
Book 2 brings Carrie a little more than she was ready to handle. Her dad comes to visit unexpectedly and he brings all his questionable friends and lifestyle with him. While Carrie comes to grips with her mixed feelings regarding her dad, she also comes to appreciate the changes in her life since she settled in Clover Ridge. Her new boyfriend Dylan shows that he knows her better than she thought and he’s not about to let her mixed feelings about things push him away. He does admit he maybe should have handled some things differently though (can’t say more or SPOILERS). Carrie is definitely making headway in putting down roots for her first time and in this book, she realizes how important they are to her already.
Once again, we get to see all the characters grow in their setting and the new characters are as well-rounded as the old ones. The intrigue kept the pages turning and the bodies falling. Overall, it was an excellent book and I cannot wait for the next in the series.
Thank you to Allison Brook, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read this wonderful book and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
Really enjoyed this story and will definitely continue on with the series. Happy to have found another I like. Good mystery. Yay I had a suspicion of the murderer before reveal. Loved the father/daughter development.
Still loving this series! Again, the author does a great job of describing the characters and the interactions between them. Love the romance part running allow but not overwhelming the plot. Can hardly wait to start the next book in this series!
I really enjoy this series. In this one Christmas and Carrie’s Dad have arrived along with a load of stolen gems. All the same wonderful characters from the first book are here. The library hosts a local jeweler to talk about precious gems. When he is found dead the next day and her father is a suspect she sets out to solve the crime. The bodies and suspects start to pile up. The mystery was good and the solution made sense. I was able to figure out the killer. Even Smokey Joe has a hand in solving the crime. There are lots of Christmas spirit and treats here too. I look for word to reading the next book in the series. This is a perfect read for the season. Enjoy
I lost sleep over this book – it was too good to put down! The author knows just how to end each chapter so you just HAVE to read the next one. I can hardly wait for her next book!!
$20 million in stolen gems, 3 murders, an absentee father who by the way just happens to be a thief, a handsome boyfriend who is also an insurance investigator, a friendly library ghost that only Carrie Singleton and her niece can see and communicate with and of course Smoky Joe, Carrie’s Cat and also the library feline. Christmas is just around the corner and all of the aforementioned is going on right in the midst of the Holidays. Can Carrie find the jewels and the murderer before she herself falls victim?
Allison Broom has written a wonderful Christmas Cozy Mystery. The story keeps you guessin* 7 til the very end as to who the real culprit is..
Great story, easy to read. I highly recommend this story as a to be read!
Carrie does not really know her dad as he has always been running from the law for as long as she can remember. She feels so disconnected from him that she calls him Jim and not dad. When she catches him breaking into her cottage she doesn’t know whether to hug him or call the police. She really doesn’t know what to do when he asks her to help him recover some stolen gems from the local jeweler and library board member, Benton Parr. Shortly after her refusal to help him, Parr is found dead and her father the main suspect. Now it is up to Carrie to prove her father is innocent and find the real killer before the killer strikes again. Will Evelyn, the resident library ghost, be of help in Carrie’s latest quest?
I’ve been surprised how much I have enjoyed this series being that it is of the paranormal theme with having a library ghost of a past librarian. Evelyn, the library ghost, is a great to help Carrie whether learning her way around the library or finding a killer. The second book starts a bit slow but picks up quickly. It really picks up when Carrie is torn between her dad and the love of her life, insurance man, Dylan. You find yourself having a hard time deciding who to be mad at, her dad or Dylan. Poor Carrie goes through every emotion. Luckily Smokey Joe, her cat, is there to comfort her.
I am curious to know if Carrie’s dad, Jim, will be a regular character or one who visits from time to time. He adds some interest to the story with his questionable background but I can see he may be a nuisance in the romance between her and Dylan.
I like that this library is trying to evolve with the times by mentioning a coffee shop inside and having so many programs. Our main library has recently allowed you to bring in drinks. Yes, it scares me to think of how many books could be damaged but we bring the books home and we know we all read as we eat lunch or are drinking a cup of tea. Allowing drinks gives you the option to stay longer and take advantage of the library offerings such as programs like a Christmas carol singing. I know myself I wish I could visit Carrie’s library and pet Smokey Joe and have a cup of tea while reading.
I received a complimentary copy from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Read and Gone
The Haunted Library Mysteries, Book #2
Allison Brook
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Seven-million dollars’ worth of missing gems bring Carrie Singleton’s long-lost and larcenous dad back into her life and it’s up to Carrie to clear his name.
A devoted dad is as precious as diamonds, but Carrie Singleton wouldn’t know since her dad Jim’s been on the lam most of her life. In an unusual family reunion, she finds Jim breaking into her cottage in the middle of the night. The fun really starts when he begs her to help him recover his half of a seven-million-dollar gem heist he pulled off with the local jeweler, Benton Parr. When she refuses, Jim takes off again.
Carrie finds her father again behind bars for the recent murder of Benton Parr. Who made the connection? Unbeknownst to her, Carrie’s boyfriend Dylan, an insurance investigator, has been searching for the gems. Determined to find the jewels herself, she starts examining every facet of Parr’s life. She turns up a treasure trove of suspects, one of whom bashes her on the head as she’s searching the victim’s country cabin.
Retreating to the quiet confines of the library where she works, Carrie watches as Smokey Joe, the resident cat, paws at a hole in the wall. Is he after the library’s ghost Evelyn, or something shinier? (Goodreads)
Review:
Carrie has a wonderful job as head of Programs and Events at her local library. She has a loving and caring aunt and uncle and an adorable cat. She also has a absent father who has returned home to ask Carrie for help locating stolen gems (he had a big part in the gems being stolen). Just what every daughter wants, to help her dad finish pulling off his crime, especially when she has not seen him in a long time. She will have to decide if she wants to help him or not, and also figure out who has gone a a killing spree.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. The relationship between her and her aunt and uncle is special and you can tell how much they love each other. She has some good friends that she works with and she has a resident library ghost, Evelyn, that she talks to whenever the ghost appears. I do wish that Evelyn would have had a bigger part in this book, like she did in book one. Hopefully she will be more active in the next book.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing without getting to wordy. The mystery was well plotted and was carried on well throughout the entire book. With numerous killings and twists and turns, it was not an easy mystery to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I have read both books in this series and I enjoyed both of them.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Incredibly well written cozy mystery that is an absolute must read for fans of the genre. I was absolutely hooked from page one unable to put it down as the story unfolded. The relatable characters, fabulous setting, and elaborate mystery all combine into this incredible novel with a library theme. The cute kitty is just icing on the cake. I totally love this series so I give it 5/5 stars.
I enjoy this series. The small town library setting draws me in.
Filled with the perfect Cozy elements Christmas, a small town library, a resident cat, some great characters including a ghost; and a mystery that will keep you turning the pages.
Read and Gone is filled with twists and turns and alot crime from jewelry heists to murder.
All this keeps Carrie scratching and rubbing her head when she is assaulted will trying to find clues.
If you love a good Cozy Mystery you’ll want to give this one a try.
A perfect sit by the fire and Christmas tree read.
I enjoyed it. I think you will too.
I received a complimentary copy.
Read and Gone is the second book in the Haunted Library Mystery series.
The last person Carrie Singleton expected to show up on her doorstep is her estranged father, Jim. For most of Carrie’s life, Jim was engaging in scams and quite frequently finding himself in jail for these scams. On the one hand, she wanted to wish him well and have him move on, but the old saying about blood being thicker than water kicked in she agrees to let him stay. Then he shares with her that he was part of a jewelry heist of some 7 million dollars of gems and he had given these gems to a local jeweler, Benton Parr to hold for safekeeping. He has mainly returned to get his share of the gems and he will move on when he gets his “retirement fund” and asks Carrie to help him in getting the jewels back. When Parr is found dead Jim becomes the primary suspects and Carrie must clear her father’s name, while still helping locate the gems. Carrie soon finds that there are many suspects to consider. Carrie also learns that her boyfriend’s, Dylan Avery, employer has been investigating the theft and this puts a strain on their relationship. Carrie feels that he is more concerned with solving the case of missing gems than helping her father.
The story is well-told and plotted with an interesting cast of characters. Evelyn Havers, the library’s resident ghost didn’t get to play as big a role in this book and I missed her wonderful character. She was able to convince Carrie to visit a friend of hers in an assisted living facility, Morgan Fuller. She was able to deliver a check to a family that Fuller feels he had treated wrong.
I will be looking forward to the next book in this interesting series.
A dedicated father is a precious thing, but Carrie Singleton wouldn’t know since her dad Jim’s been in and out of her life. In an unusual family reunion, she finds Jim breaking into her cottage in the middle of the night. The fun starts when he begs her to help him recover his half of a twenty-million-dollar gem heist he pulled off with a local jeweler, Benton Parr. Who ends up dead.
Carrie finds her father behind bars for the recent murder of Benton Parr. Who made the connection? Unbeknownst to her, Carrie’s boyfriend Dylan, an insurance investigator, has been searching for the gems. Determined to find the jewels herself, she starts examining every facet of Parr’s life. She turns up a treasure trove of suspects, one of whom knocks her over the head as she searches the victim’s cabin.
Retreating to the quiet confines of the library where she works, Carrie watches as Smokey Joe, the resident cat, paws at a hole in the wall. Is he after the library’s ghost Evelyn, mice or something shinier?
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Series: A Haunted Library Mystery – Book 2
Author: Allison Brook (Marilyn Levinson) https://www.marilynlevinson.com
Genre: Library Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books http://www.crookedlanebooks.com/
Read and Gone is a study in a dysfunctional family dynamic that for some reason, works. Oddly enough, even though Carrie’s father has been absent or in jail for most of her life, she still finds that she loves and cares for him. Odder still, it seems that Jim loves her as well. So why did he keep getting himself in trouble and disappearing from her life?
The characters in this book/series are just beginning to develop, but they hold a great deal of promise. It is easy to like Carrie, and Jim, as well as some other reoccurring characters. Unfortunately, the ghost of the library does not play a significant part in this book, but hopefully, this will develop as well as the series goes on. Many of the characters have nice personalities and hopefully will be fleshed out more to make them memorable and identifiable for the reader.
The setting is nice, and there is no need for detailed background information as this book can stand alone. However, a bit of background wouldn’t hurt in future books to enhance the enjoyment of the reader and to help the stories move along. A library is often used in this type of book. There are several very good cozies that are set in a library with a ghost. It is hoped that this series will be able to incorporate these elements without becoming too much like others of its kind.
The resolution and the identity of the killer were not complex to figure out. There were plenty of clues and twist and turns to help the reader figure out who the killer was. For some readers, it may even be a bit too easy.
There are many things in this book that a reader will find enjoyable. For that reason I am happy to recommend it to anyone who has a taste for books, murder, and a family that has issues but, in the end, still love each other.
i enjoyed reading the story, i was given a copy by net galley, but this is an honest review. if you like cozy mysteries you will like the book
This was my introduction to Allison Brook’s books. I enjoyed Carrie’s adventures through her town while trying to find the stolen diamonds and keep her dad out of jail. Since Jim, Carrie’s dad, had spent most of her 30 year life absent she wanted to reconnect with him. She despises him from bring trouble to her door and wanting her help to find the stolen gems but she also wants the love and approval she missed growing up. The story is a fun and easy read. I really love cozy mysteries that can take you on wild crazy journeys and still have happy endings.
I recommend this author and will be looking for more of her work.